Overall December 2006 was the coolest December since 1999
across the Hunter. Average daily maximum temperatures were mostly 1 to 1.5°C
below average while the average daily minimum temperatures were up to 2°C
below average. Williamtown's average minimum temperature for the month was equal
to the coolest for December ever recorded. The daily minimum average was 14.8°C
which equalled the record low average set in 1986. The greatest temperature
abnormalities were recorded at stations closer to the coast.

The highest temperature recorded in the month was 40.0°C,
which was recorded on the 11th at Cessnock (Nulkaba). Most inland stations
recorded 2 days above 35°C for the month. On average, inland stations
record 4 to 6 days above 35°C for the month of December.

The
below average temperatures were a reflection of the prevailing east to southeast
winds that blew for most of the month. Typically, east to southeast winds have
the greatest effect on localities closer to the coast.

December averages for selected stations

Station

Maximum Temperatures (°C)

Minimum Temperatures (°C)

Dec 2006

Long term Average

Record Low

Dec 2006

Long Term Average

Record Low

Nobby's Head

23.1

24.9

21.3

17.3

18.0

15.7

Williamtown

26.1

27.2

24.4

14.8

16.5

14.8

Nelson Bay

24.5

26.2

23.5

17.6

16.9

15.1

Tocal (Paterson)

28.2

29.0

26.1

14.9

16.2

13.3

Lostock Dam

27.2

28.8

25.8

14.6

16.1

14.5

Cessnock

29.4

29.4

26.4

15.4

16.1

13.8

Scone

30.1

30.2

26.8

14.6

15.8

13.8

Murrurundi

29.1

29.8

25.9

12.6

13.6

10.7

Gosford

25.7

26.9

24.6

14.6

15.2

13.7

All selected stations have a dataset consisting of at least 20 years
of records.